India Wants Second Nuclear Submarine From Russia. Lies By Lobbyists Erupt

NEW DELHI:
HIGHLIGHTS
Russian website says US officials entered nuclear submarine in Vizag
India has leased that submarine, is in talks for another
Indian sources deny Russian website report
India's attempt to buy a nuclear attack submarine from Russia appears to have triggered a misinformation campaign by defence lobbyists.

Yesterday, Russian news portal Kommersant reported that the Indian Navy had permitted a US technical crew into top secret compartments of India's existing Russian-built nuclear submarine, the INS Chakra, in clear violation of the terms of the contract between India and Russia. India leased this submarine in 2012 for approximately US$700 million and is in talks to acquire another.

According to Kommersant, which referred to this as "an unprecedented scandal," the incident "threatens to seriously complicate the negotiations both on the lease of the second nuclear submarine, and on other projects in the field of military-technical cooperation."

The Chakra, an Akula-2 class submarine, widely considered among the world's most sophisticated, has been leased by India for 10 years but all ownership rights reside with Russia.

Today, another Russian news portal, NEWS.ru, has debunked the account of the Kommersant and states that French lobbyists have an ulterior role in spreading misinformation to further their own chances of selling a nuclear-powered attack submarine to India. NEWS.ru quotes a source stating "there is complete confidence that the throw-in is organised by the lobbyists of France, and it's pretty high quality." According to this source, "In addition to the contract for the construction of non-nuclear boats such the Scorpene [now being inducted by the Indian Navy,] the French have a great desire to enter the Indian nuclear fleet."

France, the article states, is also aggressively trying to participate in India's programme to construct a second home-grown aircraft carrier. The first indigenous carrier, INS Vikrant is being built in Kochi using technology from a host of countries including Russia.

Sources in the Indian Navy, which refuses to officially comment on the controversy, told NDTV that no US personnel were allowed onboard the INS Chakra which is based in Visakhapatnam. In fact, they stressed, Russian personnel are posted in Visakhapatnam and help to maintain and operate the INS Chakra.

Defence Ministry sources have told NDTV that the timing of the media leaks is curious and comes a month ahead of the visit of the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin where both sides are expected to work to finalise the terms of the lease for another Russian nuclear submarine of the same class.

In October last year, Russia and India had reached an agreement for India to acquire the submarine for approximately US$ 2 billion. An existing Russian Navy Akula-2 submarine would be heavily modernised before it is transferred to India on lease. That would coincide with the INS Chakra's lease ending after which it would be returned to Russia. The Russian Embassy in New Delhi has refused comment on the fresh controversy.